MUKTESHWAR TEMPLE
AT
HOSHIARPUR
Mukteshwar
Temple is situated in Hoshiarpur district of the state of Punjab. It is a
popular shrine of Lord Shiva and
is also known as Mukesaran Mandir - located near Pathankot on Shahpur Kandi Dam road. It is the
holy temple of the Hindu religion, where the idols of Lord Ganesha, Lord
Bramha, Lord Vishnu, Lord Hanuman and Goddess Parvati are present.
This
temple is one of the most sacred places around Pathankot.
There are some caves which date to the time of the Mahabharata. According to a
legend, the Pandavas stayed in those caves for a night during their exile
(Agayatwas).
Locals
say that these caves near the Mandir dates back to the period of the
Mahabharata. These caves are on the way to Shahpur Kandi and is situated on the
bank of the River Ravi, 22 km from Pathankot City in
Shaupur Kandi at Doongh village.
The caves and temple has been carved on one
of the rocky hill. This temple stands tall at the hill top and is a landmark
around the city.
Situated at the hilltop, Mukteshwar temple
has a white marble Shivling, with a copper Yoni. The Shivling is surrounded by
the idols of Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu, Goddess Paravati, Lord Hanuman and Lord
Ganesha.
A
Fair, called the Mukesran Da
Mela, is held anually at this place, in April, to mark Baisakhi festival. Also every year big
festival on day of Shivratri and after one month of shivratri there
is three day festival Chaitra
Chodiya and also Navratri festival.
Somvati Amavasya is another big fair
temple committee organizes. Lots of pilgrim from all over the Punjab and nearby
state Himachal, J
&mp K comes here for to worship God every year mainly on Mukesran mela and
Shiv Ratri.
By Air
The airport is a military airport that was
started in the year 2006 on 21st November which one caters to the Indian
Air Force Base. Earlier only flights to the North India were slated from the Pathankot
Airport but as of now, no flights are scheduled from the base. One can take flights
till Raja Sansi International Airport, Amritsar or the Jammu
Airport and then complete their journey till Pathankot by train,
bus or a taxi. The distance from the Raja Sansi International Airport till the
Pathankot city is 118 km. Regular international and national flights fly from these
Airports to most of the important cities all over India.
By Rail
There are two railway stations in Pathankot: The Pathankot Cantt (Chakki Bank Railay Station)
which is right in the heart of the city and the Pathankot railway station which
is very close (at walking distance) to Pathankot Bus Stand. Both the stations
are connected to the broad gauge lines and are managed by the northern
railways. Regular trains from Jammu, Amritsar, Jalandhar, Delhi and Ludhiana
ply from these two stations.
By Road
The Pathankot bus stand is
known as the Maharana Pratap Inter State Bus Terminal is
located just very close to the National Highway 20 that is at a distance of 3
km from the city. Himachal Roadways, Jammu and Kashmir Roadways, Punjab Roadways and PUNBUS have bus services
for interstate regions and the inter city of Punjab. Regular busses from Delhi,
Ludhiana, Jammu and Kashmir and Chandigarh ply from Pathankot. You can take bus
for jugial to visit the holy mukteshwar shrine.
